Cuba and Portugal sign cooperation agreement on tourism

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 7 (acn) Portugal's Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, and the head of that sector in Cuba, Manuel Marrero, signed a protocol of cooperation agreement, which will boost work on key issues for the joint development of that industry.

Mendes Godinho highlighted the historical significance of this agreement, the first to be signed by both parties and which includes several areas of mutual interest such as hotel investment.

Portuguese businessmen are interested in investing in Cuba and accompanying its development, said the Portuguese secretary of state, who signified the positive political relations between the two countries, which "were increasingly sthrengthened in the last year."

She argued that the legal document will also enable the formation of students and the exchange of experiences between the two nations.

Mendes Godinho noted that Portugal has 12 public tourism schools, considered among the best in Europe, which can contribute to the training of Cuban personnel.

Marrero said that this step creates a new stage for joint work on issues such as the use of the Portuguese experience in the sector, useful at a time when Cuba is experiencing a remarkable growth in the so-called leisure industry.

She emphasized that the Caribbean island is currently in the international eye, while new business opportunities are opening up.

According to the Cuban minister, tourism can be an important element to further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Previously, the parties held a profitable working day, which was attended by representatives of the main national hotel chains and businessmen who accompany Mendes Godinho during her two-day visit to Cuba.

During the meeting, the visitors received information on the tourist development of Cuba, visited last year by 4,035,577 foreign vacationers.

As part of the program, the Portuguese Secretary of State and her delegation will visit today Varadero, the most important sun and beach tourist destination in the country, where they will meet with the authorities of the sector.